The Evil Effects of Terrorism: Takfīr and the Khawārij

The noble Shaykh, Aḥmad al-Najmī (raḥimahullāh), explains the falsehood of the Khawārij, providing multiple proofs from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah, and explaining that the only way to save oneself is by following the way of the Salaf. The lecture is coordinated by Ustādh Abū Khadījah and translated by the noble brother, Abū Ṭalḥah Dāwūd Burbank (raḥimahullāh).

The wise and noble Shaykh begins with a brief explanation of the correct methodology of Islām and emphasises that there is no salvation except by treading this path alone. The Shaykh continues to explain the important aspect of having true īmān (faith) and believing in the unseen matters and warned against following newly invented methodologies that contradict the book and the sunnah and are contrary to what the pious predecessors were upon. The Shaykh then begins to explain the beliefs of the deviant sect, the Khawārij. Here, the Shaykh gives an overview of the deviant actions affiliated with this sect as well as providing proofs and refutations towards them.

Key points include:

Within the methodology of the Khawārij is the takfīr on Muslims (declaring them to be non-Muslims) without just cause. Their methodology involves the killing of the Muslims and killing of the unbelievers who live within the land of the Muslims guaranteed in safety. Furthermore, they try to justify the killing of women, children and also suicide bomibng.

The Khawārij are a people that if you were to compare your prayer to their prayer you would find yours to be less, the same goes for fasting and recitation of the Qurʾān, despite all of this, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said about them: “Your recitation of the Qurʾān is nothing compared to their recitation. Your prayer is nothing compared to their prayer. And your fasting is nothing compared to their fasting. They will recite the Qurʾān thinking that is (a proof) for them, when in fact it is (a proof) against them. Their prayer will not go beyond their throats. They will shoot out from Islām just as the arrow shoots out from the hunted prey." [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book of Zakāt (no. 1066)].

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said: "If I would reach them (i.e. their time), I would surely kill them with the slaughter the people of Thamūd experienced.” [ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book of Zakāt (no. 1066)].

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) describes them as "the dogs of the hell fire. The Shaykh mentions, Allāh the most high says:

وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ"And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allāh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascriibng partners to Him), and perform al-Ṣalāt (Iqāmat al-Ṣalāt) and give Zakāt: and that is the right religion."[Sūrah al-Bayyinah, 98:5]

Lastly, there was a question asked to the Shaykh:

[Q]: What is the ruling for those people who make excuses for the Khawārij, those who kill the Muslims and cause corruption to people's property and they kill the people?

[A]: The people that find excuses for them, make excuses for them, give them excuses, they are just like them! They are just the same as them! The ones who make the excuses for them are just like them! They are just the same as them! The ones who make the excuses for them are just like them people who do those things! They are misguided, they are people astray, just the same as them!